Tonganoxie School Board

Test scores on rise, principals tell board

Preliminary test scores for state assessments are looking favorable for Tonganoxie schools.

At Monday's school board meeting, elementary school principal Tammie George and middle school principal Jill Dickerson reported that preliminary assessment scores showed the middle school average improving 10.2 percent in reading to 86.4 percent and up 8.5 percent in math to 78.7 percent.

The special education subgroup improved 19.5 percent in reading to 55.3 percent from last year, while math increased 17.5 percent to 54.8 percent this year.

George reported improved scores as well and said it appears that the school will be recognized for more standard of excellence awards.

"We're very proud of the progress our students have made," George said.

And she expects that to translate into standard of excellence recognition.

"So we'll have some more banners outside," George said, referring to SOE signs that schools receive for accomplishments in that area.

Also at the meeting, Superintendent Richard Erickson recognized students who are set to graduate this year with 4.0 grade-point averages. The list includes 19 seniors.

Erickson said the number of 4.0 students could be the most in a class in school history.

The TES fourth-grade Chorusters singing group also performed at the school board meeting.

Technology approval; roof work slated

The board approved technology director David Milhon's request for the purchase of more than $125,000 in technology equipment: $116,250 total for 101 laptops, 25 desktops and 25 monitors; $7,944 for Microsoft Office programs; $1,616 for 101 laptop bags and Adobe Digital School programs. The Adobe is for $67 each. Milhon will work with school administrators to determine how many programs will be purchased.

The board also approved spending for maintenance on roofs at Tonganoxie High School and Tonganoxie Elementary School. The board approved a low bid from American Roofing, Inc. of Leavenworth for a low bid of $261,146. Interim maintenance director Larry Easter said the bid process, which also included bids from Hankins Service, Kansas City, Mo., and Delta Innovative Services of Kansas City, Kan., saved the district more than $19,000.

The board accepted the resignation of Karen Parrett, accounts payable clerk at the central office.

The board also hired Janice Turner as special education bus driver and Jamie Mullins as TES food service employee.

Executive session

The board met midway through Monday's regular meeting for a planned executive session for 20 minutes to discuss personnel matters.

Later in the evening, the board met again for 15 minutes to discuss student privacy matters with Donnetta Leffert. THS principal Jamie Carlisle also met during the executive session. The board met for another 10 minutes for student privacy matters with Carlisle also present during that time. The board adjourned shortly after returning from the final executive session. Erickson met with the board for all executive sessions.